Amend CSHB 1188 by adding a new section appropriately
numbered to read as follows and renumbering the other sections
accordingly:
      SECTION ____.  Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 56.004 to read as follows:
      Sec. 56.004.  CONSIDERATION OF HOME EQUITY. (a)  In
determining the eligibility of an applicant for financial
assistance or the financial need of an applicant in connection with
an application for financial assistance, an institution of higher
education, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Texas
Guaranteed Student Loan corporation, or other state officer or
agency may not consider the amount of equity the applicant or the
applicant's family owns in a homestead of the applicant or of a
member of the applicant's family that is located in this state,
unless otherwise required by federal law.
      (b)  In this section, "financial assistance" includes a
student loan, grant, scholarship, or work-study.